Sports

Protesters Disrupt FIFA Visit To World Cup Stadium In Brazil

People pass by a billboard of a new stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2014, Arena Pantanal, at the construction site after an old stadium was demolished in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso State, Brazil on January 29, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Yasuyoshi CHIBA (credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)

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SAO PAULO (AP) — A group of about 50 protesters vandalized part of the construction site of a World Cup stadium and chanted anti-FIFA slogans during an inspection by organizers in Cuiaba on Tuesday.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and other officials were met by jeering protesters when they arrived at the construction site of the Arena Pantanal.

The demonstrators, who were complaining about the cost of next year’s World Cup and demanding improvements for local citizens, entered the venue and painted messages that called for “Less World Cup, more health and education.”

The protesters, mostly local teachers, carried banners reading “FIFA go home” and chanted slogans from the stadium pitch — while FIFA and government officials continued their inspection tour from the stands. With bulldozers in the background, the demonstrators tried to disrupt the visit by blowing whistles and playing drums and other instruments.

“People have the right to protest, but they should respect other people, like the construction workers in the stadium,” Valcke said. “They have the right to protest, but it should be peaceful.”

He also said the World Cup must be staged in all scheduled 12 cities.

“There is no way that one city will be off the list,” Valcke said. “The match schedule will be respected.”

Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo and former national team stars Ronaldo and Bebeto were among those who witnessed the protest.

The incident came a day after violent demonstrations in some of Brazil’s largest cities, including one by teachers seeking better pay in Rio de Janeiro. The Confederations Cup in June was marked by protests and more are expected during the World Cup.

Because of the demonstrators, Valcke made a symbolic handover of tickets to workers at a different part of the site.

In the southern city of Curitiba, a Brazilian labor judge on Tuesday reversed a ruling that had halted construction at the Arena da Baixada for nearly a week because of workers’ safety concerns. Work resumed, but a new inspection was scheduled for the end of the week.

The Arena da Baixada was less than 80 percent completed by the end of August, the lowest rate among the venues under construction.